‘Harry Potter’ Attraction Removes Alcohol Under Immediate New Ban

Alcohol has been removed from plans for an upcoming Harry Potter attraction after officials refused permission for it to be sold.

The decision impacts a new Harry Potter themed illuminations trail at Cannock Chase Forest in Staffordshire, England, which is due to run from October 1 through January 3.

Forestry England had hoped to sell alcoholic drinks to visitors as they walked through the forest. Those plans have now been blocked following a licensing hearing and dozens of objections from local residents.

Alcohol Plans Rejected for ‘Harry Potter’ Attraction

Forestry England applied to Cannock Chase District Council for a premises license ahead of the upcoming event.

The application sought permission to sell alcohol between 3:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., with mulled wine and hot chocolate with Irish cream among the drinks proposed for visitors.

Permission was also requested to play music along sections of the route, which will feature illuminated displays depicting scenes from the Harry Potter franchise.

However, the application faced significant local opposition.

More than 75 objections were submitted to Cannock Chase District Council, with residents raising concerns including traffic, noise, parking, public safety, and antisocial behavior.

One resident questioned the decision to encourage alcohol consumption when visitors may be driving to and from the forest, particularly with children expected to attend the attraction.

Others raised concerns about the combination of alcohol and a nighttime forest environment.

Forestry England defended the proposal during a meeting of the council’s Licensing Sub Committee on September 16.

Jon Payne of Forestry England stressed that drinking was not intended to be a major part of the attraction.

“It’s very much a family-[oriented] event,” Payne said.

“The amount of alcohol consumption is very small, served from limited outlets in the forest, and not available throughout the site.”

Emily Sewell of event producer Culture Creative Limited also told the committee that alcohol purchases tend to represent a relatively small proportion of guests at similar events.

She said the company’s experience suggested that around one in five visitors would purchase alcohol.

The committee was ultimately unconvinced.

Chair Maureen Freeman said members were “not minded to grant the license as requested,” shutting down the proposed alcohol sales ahead of the attraction’s opening.

The ruling means the drinks included in the unsuccessful license application cannot be sold as planned when the Harry Potter trail begins operating.

Butterbeer Survives the Alcohol Decision

There is at least one major Harry Potter drink that visitors will not miss as a result.

Butterbeer is unaffected by the decision because the branded real-world version of the Wizarding World drink is nonalcoholic.

The drink has become one of the most recognizable parts of modern Harry Potter experiences since it made the jump from J.K. Rowling’s books into the real world.

Butterbeer was first served at Universal Orlando Resort when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Islands of Adventure in 2010.

It has since expanded to official Harry Potter destinations around the world, with versions including cold, frozen, and hot Butterbeer, as well as an expanding range of Butterbeer-flavored desserts and snacks.

Not everybody at the Cannock Chase hearing appeared to be a fan.

Councilor John Parkes described Butterbeer as “horrendous” while discussing the drinks available at the event.

Parkes also drew attention during the meeting after questioning the proposed alcoholic options and claiming that “normal men” would not drink the beverages being considered.

The Cannock Chase decision is notable because alcohol is not universally excluded from Harry Potter experiences.

Universal Orlando Resort, for example, offers adult alcoholic drinks alongside Butterbeer within its Wizarding World lands.